What Is the Pentagon's Multi-Billion Dollar F-35 Jet Actually Supposed to Do? (Vice)

 

Here's What the US and Its Allies Can Do With Their New F-35s (Vice)

Ufff, the Vice articles are the same blah, blah, blah of the later years, no new data. And I only want to see a minimum of maneuverability in F-35 in YouTube, at least a video of a wide loop or a fast roll ...

Ufff, the Vice articles are the same blah, blah, blah of the later years, no new data. And I only want to see a minimum of maneuverability in F-35 in YouTube, at least a video of a wide loop or a fast roll ...

 

LOL, I had hoped you would never be looking to Vice to find "data", new or otherwise.

On the F-35 helmet (remember the F-35 has not head-up display on the dashboard, it has only the helmet integrated head-up display, I think probably will be added another one in the dashboard, or it will be impossible because the closed aircraft architecture?). Incidentally, I tested an Oculus device a few weeks ago, and I was not very impressed: http://gizmodo.com/i-wore-a-400-000-f-35-helmet-and-it-blew-my-mind-1779125567

Another viewpoint from the F-35B maintenance crew (regrettably I've not time to read it just now): http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/absolute-youngest-marine-in-the-f-35-test-force-shares-1716981177

Too horrible, too ridiculous, too sad, I'm not sure, but apparently F-35 not mentioned in 2030 Air Force Plan: http://www.popsci.com/air-forces-plan-for-2030-doesnt-mention-f-35

At last, RAF F-35B in RIAT 2016:

 

For comparision, F-22A:

F-35A IOC could be announced as early as tomorrow, 2 August.

F-35A at last operational on 2 August 2016:

http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/885496/air-force-declares-the-f-35a-combat-ready.aspx

Heritage Foundation evaluation of F-35A by F-35A pilots:

http://www.businessinsider.com/why-f-35-worth-every-penny-heritage-foundation-2016-8

 

Complete evaluation in Scribb at the article end (14 pages).

Of interest, between other points, the page 9 manoeuvrability table.

Heritage Foundation evaluation of F-35A by F-35A pilots:

http://www.businessinsider.com/why-f-35-worth-every-penny-heritage-foundation-2016-8

 

Complete evaluation in Scribb at the article end (14 pages). Of interest, between other points, the page 9 manoeuvrability table.

 

The report minimizes the faults of the most capable version of JSF (the F-35A), and emphasizes its strongest points. Glossing over the finer details while doing it.

 

For example, the bit about external stores. Yes, many current generation aircraft need external stores (pods, fuel tanks, etc). It ignores that if the F-35's internal systems fail, it can't perform the mission. It cannot even swap out for a new pod before flying the mission. It also ignores that if the F-35 doesn't carry external stores, its reach and warload is reduced.

 

And when the article points out that the pilots interviewed repeated some things about the F-35A "almost verbatim", with the history of the services having specifically directed pilots to speak positively of the F-35, well ...

F-35B rejected or postposed by Singapore:

http://thediplomat.com/2016/08/enough-air-power-singapore-drops-the-f-35-stealth-fighter/

Too many explanations again?:

http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/the-reason-why-americas-f-35-would-crush-chinas-j-20-stealth-17315

Brad, I agree. For the USA to bully Canada into purchasing aircraft that would be more valuable to the US (as an ally) than to Canada is unconscionable. How about something in a nice Gripen NG and a few more tankers?

No news, but interesting to keep track on F-35 weapons integration (remember, at the current IOC F-35A and F-35B Block 2B/3i are only armed with AIM-120C, GBU-31/32 JDAM, and E/GBU-12. Gun capability and AIM-9X will be added in 2017 (or gun in F-35B in 2019?), B61-12 nuke in F-35A in 2018, AIM-120D in 2019, SDB near 2022, and so on):

http://aviationweek.com/awin/f-35-weapons-tests-2014-focus-amraam

http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/f-35-cant-carry-its-most-versatile-weapon-until-at-leas-1688616599